Boondocking near Divide, Colorado in July

[rmoore0852]

Hey everyone, looking for some help here. I am in the process of starting to plan a camping trip for the July 4th weekend near Divide, CO. Let me give a little background to help you help me. We went to CO for the first time last June. Big group of us with dirt bikes, ATV's, and side by sides. Last year we camped off of Cedar Mountain Road.

There are several older couples that go, and my wife and I are the only ones with a camper. They decided that this year they wanted to rent a big lodge north of Divide off of Manchester Creek Road and 511. The thought is to use my camper as the "base camp" for everyone during the day, and them all go back to the lodge at night. Wife and I will stay with the camper of course.

Anyhow, it's about 11 miles from last year's campsite to the lodge. Anybody have any other good boondocking areas that they can suggest that might be closer, or is Cedar Mountain Rd the best spot??

Being July 4th weekend, I am planning on getting there on Thursday, but am still a bit concerned about finding a spot. Some "backup" spot suggestions in this area would also be appreciated.

[avoidcrowds]

Thanks for the coordinates! That helps a lot!

It appears that there are lots of houses in the area, so anything closer to the lodge is likely private. Also, where you stayed last year looks to be the best spot in the area. Just SE about 200 yards is another spot that is just off the road. Or, around the corner to the north, then left (also about 200 yards) are a couple of other spots, not far off the main road.

Just looks like an area that you have to take your chances. Any weekend other than the 4th would likely be easy to find alternate locations.

I hope it all works out for you!

[AJBert]

Thanks for the invite but I don't have anything to ride at the moment. My work week is a bit odd as I work Thur through Mon and 1pm until just after sunset. If I can make it I'll do my best to at least be at camp.

As far as anything closer to the lodge, everything around that area is private land until you get back into the NF. Unless you know someone that has a LOT of private land closer then the NF is what you will have. You can access the NF on 51 before the "official" entrance were 3/51 meet up. I haven't spent much time back in that area yet, though. Not sure if they have trails set up like they do where you are familiar with.

[rmoore0852]

AJBert, thank you so much for that offer!! We are somewhat familiar with the area, since we were there last year. We are riding in the Pike, just in the area around where we camped last year (Cedar Mountain Rd). The only named trail that I remember was we rode Hackett Gulch. That was a fun trail!! We did a lot more riding in the area, but they were all numbered trails, and I don't remember the numbers.

We have a friend that lives in Colorado Springs and we were all just basically following him. Of the group that is riding, we are the only ones with a camper set up for boondocking, which is why they all rented the lodge this year. Our plan is to camp in the same spot as last year and our camper will be the daytime base for everyone. My concern is that since I am so unfamiliar with the area, if we show up and that camping area is occupied, I don't have a backup spot and won't have a ton of time to scout around. I also was wondering if there were any good camping/riding areas a bit closer to the lodge they rented.

AJ, If you are around that weekend you are welcome to come hang out and ride with us!!

[AJBert]

I actually live in the area. Where do you do your playing with the toys? I would imagine in Pike NF, either from CR 51 (Cedar Mtn. Rd) or CR 5? If so, there are places in both areas for boondocking. Best I can tell you is do some scouting first before pulling your trailer in.

I would offer to go back and check some sites for you in the NF but there's a bit of snow up here at the moment so it would have to wait. I'm not familiar with the lodge you are talking about but I do know 511. I live off of 51 about a couple of miles from where it meets up with 3.

Let me know if you need anymore help and once the roads are a bit better I can head out and see what I can find for you.

[rmoore0852]

The lodge they are staying at is Manchester CREEK Rd and 511. Just north of Divide. Can get GPS coordinates later. We stayed at 39.02685 and -105.27879 last year. It was a really nice spot, but not a lot of space so it fills up quickly. I am looking for some "back up" areas just in case that one is full when we arrive. We are going July 4th weekend after all. Hoping that getting there on Thursday will help.

[avoidcrowds]

Moore, I don't see Manchester Park Rd & 511. I found 511, but that was it. Cedar Mtn Rd is visible.

How about a set of GPS coordinates for where everyone is staying, and where you camped last year. If you are going to be riding ATVs, you may have been near Hoder Recreation Reservoir, off FR 3.

GoogleEarth shows you the elevation where your cursor is, along the lower-right info ribbon of the GE window. That will give you an idea about elevation changes, if you place your cursor over a few different spots. Also, if you set your Tools>Options>Terrain Elevation Exaggeration to 1 or 2, you can drag-and-release the imagery, so it starts scrolling. While it is scrolling it almost becomes 3-D, so you can see hillsides, ravines, etc. Could be helpful in finding a place you can get your rig.

Appears to be lots of boondocking opportunities in that area, limited mostly by your rig. Good luck!

[profdant139]

Exactly right -- drop the trailer and scout around. We often build in an extra day just for that. We drop the trailer at a campground, scout, and then move to our new boondocking site the next day. That does not work if you are pressed for time, of course.

On many roads, you can see (on Google Earth) where there are really wide spots for turning around. Or you could try a three point turn. Even with a very short trailer, though (the box on my trailer is not quite 12 feet long!), a three pointer sometimes turns into a tedious ten pointer.

But with a 13 foot tall unit, there is no substitute for actually scouting -- those branches can ruin your whole day.

[rmoore0852]

Yeah, been playing on google earth, but it doesn't show elevation changes or low hanging trees. I know the one road I have been on up there looks nice and smooth on google, but there are some hills to contend with. Everything up there is crushed granite, and it is really slippery. At one point last year I was glad to have 4wd, since the rears started spinning, even with the weight of the camper on the back.

I don't exactly have the best rig for boondocking in tight areas. 36' 12,000 lbs and 13'3" tall. My biggest concern is going down a road to find a spot and not being able to turn around. I think what I will do is get close, then unload the 4 wheeler and go scouting on it.

We boondock in Cloudcroft NM all the time, but I know all those roads really well. Plus i'm a planner, and driving 700 miles while not knowing where we will stay is killing me!!!

[profdant139]

I don't know the area, but I know what I would do -- spend some quality time flying around the area on Google Earth! Fly low and slow -- look for spots where others have boondocked -- they are usually easy to see. It also helps to have a good forest map or topo program available, to cross-check the road designations and to see if the terrain is too tough for towing.

The other alternative is to talk to a friendly ranger -- they can be very helpful.

Good luck!